Ski tip



R. L. COLLINS SKI TIP Filed Sept. 3, 1957 Ruby Lee Collins INVENTOR @my QM@ ATTORNEY Dec. 4, 1962 United States Patent Ofice 3,066,326 Patented Dec. 4, 1962 3,066,326 SKI TEP Ruby Lee Collins, Rte. 1, Box 966, Dallas, Tex. Filed Sept. 3, 1957, Ser. No. 681,531 1 Claim. (Cl. 9-310) This invention relates to a ski tip, and it concerns more particularly, in a water ski, in combination with a ski board, a metal sheath consisting of a shaped hollow body, open at one end, received on an end portion of the ski board and comprising the forward end of the ski, and means detachably connecting the metal sheath to the ski board.

An object of the invention is to provide, in a water ski, in combination with a ski board, a metal sheath consisting of a shaped hollow body, open at one end, having its open end received on an end portion of the ski board and comprising an extension thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type described in which the metal sheath extends longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the ski board and comprises the forward end of the ski.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type described in which the forward end of the metal sheath is curved upwardly and has rounded edges.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in apparatus of the type described, a metal sheath which, for convenience in fabricating, is formed of two complementary parts having mutually overlapping side portions.

Another object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of the type described, means detachably connecting the metal sheath to the ski board.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in apparature of the type described, a metal sheath consisting of a shaped hollow body which is lilled with a material characterized by its inherent buoyancy.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type described which is of simple, rugged construction, may be manufactured inexpensively, is efficient in operation and relatively indestructible.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a water ski embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken on the lines 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is -a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan View, partly broken away, of the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional elevational View of another form of the invention.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. l to 3 of the drawing, the numeral 1 designates a ski board. A metal sheath embodying the invention, which is indicated generally by the numeral 2, is detachably connected to an end portion of the ski board 1, and comprises the forward end of the ski.

The metal sheath 2 consists of a Shaped hollow body, open rat one end, having its open end received on an end portion of the ski board 1 and comprising an extension thereof. The sheath 2 advantageously may be formed of .aluminum or other light weight metal. The sheath 2 extends longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the ski board 1 and comprises the forward end of the ski. The forward end of the sheath 2 is curved upwardly and has rounded edges.

For convenience in fabricating, the metal sheath 2 is formed of two complementary parts having, respectively, a top 3 and a bottom 4 and mutually overlapping side portions 5 and 6. The side portions 5 and 6 comprise flanged marginal portions of the top 3 and the bottom 4, respectively. The mutually overlapping side portions 5 and 6 may be connected by welding, as at 7.

The metal sheath 2 is detachably connected to the ski board 1 as follows:

A metal strip 8, which advantageously may be formed of spring steel, is connected intermediate its` ends, by a rivet 9, to the upper surface of the metal sheath 2. A pair of pins 10, which are connected to opposite ends of the strip 8 and extend downwardly therefrom, are received in aligned openings 11 and 12, which are formed in the metal sheath 2 and the ski board 1, respectively. The ends of the strip 8 are curved upwardly, for engagement by the fingers, whereby the pins 10 may be disengaged from the openings 12 to permit the ski board 1 to be inserted in and withdrawn from the open end of the metal sheath 2.

The metal sheath 2 advantageously may be filled with a suitable material, such as styrofoam, which is characterized by its inherent buoyancy.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in FlGS. 4 and 5, a pair of metal strips 13, which advantageously may be formed of spring steel, are each connected at one end, by rivets 14, to one side of the metal sheath 2. A semi-circular bight 1S is formed in each of the strips 13 intermediate its ends for engagement with a corresponding notch 16 formed in the adjacent edge of the ski board 1, whereby the ski board 1 -is detachably connected to the metal sheath 2. The respective bights 15 are passed through a pair of longitudinal slots 17 formed in the sides of the metal sheath 2 `opposite the notches 16.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in FIG. 6, a pair of internally threaded bushings 18 are received in openings provided therefor in the ski board 1. A pair of screws 19 are inserted through openings provided therefor in the metal sheath 2, for engagement with the bushings 18, whereby the metal sheath 2 is detachably connected to the ski board 1.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

In a Water ski, the combination of an elongated ski board, rectangular in transverse section and having parallel sides and longitudinal edges, a metal sheath consisting of a hollow, tubular body, closed at one end, having its open end received on one end of the ski board, the metal sheath conforming generally to the shape of the `ski board and extending longitudinally beyond the adjacent end thereof, the closed end of the metal sheath comprising the forward end of the ski and being curved upwardly and having rounded edges, the metal sheath providing a closed chamber forwardly of the ski board and being characterized by its buoyancy, and means preventing longitudinal displacement of the metal sheath relative to the ski board comprising a metal strip formed of spring steel and connected by a rivet to the upper surface of the metal sheath, and a pair of pins connected to opposite ends of the strip and extending downwardly therefrom for engagement with aligned openings in the metal sheath `and the ski board, respectively.

CJi

References Cited in the 1e of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Taft Aug. l0, 1926 Rydberg Oct. 21, 1941 Hartman Aug. 14, 1945 Billingham Aug. 30, 1955 FCREGN PATENTS Y Norway July 14, 1924 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1945 Great Britain Aug. 3, 1955 

